Should We Be Carbophobic? ACE Advocates Balanced Nutrition, Portion Control and Regular Exercise

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – [Sept. 23, 2004] – It’s no secret that we are always looking for a quick fix when it comes to losing weight. First, low-fat diets were the rage, now carbohydrates are public enemy #1 as millions of Americans turn to low-carb lifestyles. But, is a low-carb diet the healthiest way to eat and lose weight? The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's non-profit fitness advocate, recommends a solid balance between eating individual-sized portions of a wide variety of foods and regular exercise to achieve optimal health benefits, including weight loss.

America is missing the point. The foundation of a healthy diet should be based upon eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Moderate amounts of low-fat protein sources and diary products should be consumed as the next tier of a healthy diet. Finally, sweets, refined grains and fats should be consumed sparingly.

“Individuals need to understand that healthy carbs such as vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains (eaten in proper amounts) are essential components of a well-balanced diet,” said Dr. Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise. “The consumption of these healthy carbs has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, certain types of cancer and a number of other chronic ailments.”

ACE offers user-friendly tips on how to eat sensible portions while working your way toward your weight loss goal.

Use your hand - One fist equals a medium-size piece of fruit and your palm, minus fingers, equals three ounces of meat, fish or poultry.

Thumb as your guide - The length of your thumb equals one ounce of meat or cheese and the tip of your thumb measures one tablespoon.

In addition to eating sensibly, begin a fitness program with exercises you find comfortable and build as your body becomes accustomed to the activity level. Don't start out too hard or too fast. Chances are you may injure yourself or quit before you've done yourself much good.
And remember, you can't lose weight overnight. Set a realistic weight-loss goal for yourself - one to two pounds a week – eat healthy and get going on a program of regular physical activity…you will be surprised by what you accomplish.

About ACE
The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America’s Authority on Fitness, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting consumers against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction. As the nation’s “workout watchdog,” ACE sponsors university-based exercise science research and testing that targets fitness products and trends. ACE sets standards for fitness professionals and is the world’s largest nonprofit fitness certifying organization. For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636 or log onto the ACE Web site at www.acefitness.org.

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Founded in 1985, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) is a nonprofit organization committed to America's health and wellbeing. Over the past 30 years, we have become an established resource for health and fitness professionals, and the public, providing comprehensive, unbiased research and validating ourselves as the country's trusted authority on health and fitness.

Today, ACE is the largest nonprofit health and fitness certification, education and training organization in the world with more than 60,000 certified professionals who hold more than 67,000 ACE Certifications. With a long heritage in certification, education, training and public outreach, we are among the most respected organizations in the industry and a resource the public has come to trust for health and fitness education.

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